Central authorities are not fully aware of the human trafficking situation

Central authorities are not fully aware of the situation regarding human trafficking, as there is no credible statistical data to describe this phenomenon. The Minister of Social Protection, Family and Child (MSPFC), Galina Balmos stated at the Conference on National Referral System on June 28, that we only started talking about such a phenomenon very recently, this explaining the inaction of authorities. “It is extremely difficult to identify these persons, as the victims are very often avoiding honest statements about their experiences, being blamed by the society and finding it difficult to seek the assistance of state and non-governmental organisations”, stated Balmos. According to Balmos, by means of this conference and through other ministerial actions, we aim to change the public opinion towards such a phenomenon, as well as to create multi-disciplinary teams at regional level, which would be actively involved in promoting the interests of the victims of trafficking. The national conference will mark the end of the year-long pilot period, announced for the creation of the National Referral System (NRS), now in the process of cooperation aiming to identify and assist vulnerable persons. NRS was launched in five pilot-districts throughout the year 2006 as a response to the lack of available services for human trafficking victims outside the capital. MPSFC undertook the initiative to implement the system with the help of multi-disciplinary teams, formed by representatives of the public local authorities and civil society, under the coordination of the ministry. This system is currently developing and it increasingly involves recently employed social workers. They are currently instructed in methods of identification, monitoring and assistance for human trafficking victims as well as potential victims of trafficking in human beings.